Second World War Discovery Box Personal Stories

Allan Selwyn Bundy Royal Canadian Air Force

Allan broke racial barriers by becoming the first Canadian- born Black pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force, at the age of 22.

Allan Bundy, in his Royal Canadian Air Force uniform. George Metcalf Archival Collection Canadian War Museum 20100197-001_64b

Before the War

Allan Bundy was born in Dartmouth, Allan did well in school, and won a scholarship Nova Scotia, in 1920. He was one of four to study chemistry at Dalhousie University, in children. His father, William Henry Bundy, Halifax, Nova Scotia. He hoped one day was a First World War veteran. to become a doctor.

warmuseum.ca/supplyline Allan Selwyn Bundy 1 First Canadian-Born Black Pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force

When war broke out in 1939, Allan tried to enlist After training, Allan became a Pilot Officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force (rcaf). The in September 1943. After further training in recruiter turned him away because, at the time, Canada, he was sent overseas in December air crews were restricted to White men only 1943. He was posted to England, where he flew and Bundy was Black. aircraft on sorties against enemy ships. He had undertaken more than 40 missions by the end In 1942, Allan received a notice that he was of the war. being conscripted into the Canadian Army. Because he still wanted to fly, he ignored the Allan Bundy is credited with being the first letter. This resulted in a visit from the police. Canadian-born Black pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Along with about 49 other African- Allan explained to the officer about his earlier Canadians known to have served with the air attempt to enlist. “I told him that I had gone to force during the Second World War, he helped join the air force in 1939 and if the bullet that change attitudes towards visible minorities in kills me is not good enough for the air force, the military, and in Canadian society. then it is not good enough for the army either — so take me away.” Allan was not arrested. He was allowed to try the air force again. This time, he was accepted. The rules had recently changed to allow visible minorities to serve as air crew.

Return to Life in Canada

Allan returned to Canada after completing his He lived in Toronto, where he worked as a final mission, and was discharged from the rcaf supervisor for a manufacturing firm. He died in August 1945. in 2001.

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